Container handler



F. G. HAUSCHKLD ETAL 3,266,650

CONTAINER HANDLER Filed Dec. 19,

Aug. 16, 1966 w mm OM 3 w w 4 m6 K. CW 7. 9 m m R M m United States Patent Ind.

Fiied Dec. 19, 1963, Ser. No. 331,784 2 Claims. (Cl. 214-651) The present invention relates to a container handler, and more particularly to a new and novel mechanism for packing freight cars or the like in an efficient and highly effective manner.

As is known, in handling shipping containrs, as for home appliances, for example, it is difficult to readily place the second, or higher, level of containers in the transporting vehicle. In this regard, not only is additional personnel oftentimes required, but an unwarranted spending of time results, to the economic disadvantage of the shipper.

Accordingly, by virtue of the instant invention, the applicants herein have provided a new and novel handling apparatus for cartoned merchandise which expedites the necessary packing in the transporting vehicle, with a minimum of time expenditure and with highly effective and readily achieved results. Broadly, the applicants invention is disposed typically on a commonly known factory lift truck, where the forks of the latter are removed, where one feature of the instant device is the ready engaging of the container being moved and where another, and principal, feature is the provision of rotatable feet for selectively engaging the underside of the container for positive placement for shipping,

In this latter regard, the aforesaid feet, as well as the container engaging mechanism, are typically operated through fluid pressure means, and where, in the instance of loading one container on the top of another, the operator, after raising the container with the engaging mechanism, selectively rotates the feet under the container, so that tipping and fulcrum action is positively and effectively achieved.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel apparatus for handling merchandise containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel container handling apparatus having selectively movable container supporting feet which permit ready packing of a transporting vehicle in a manner not possible in prior arrangements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel container handler having, in combination, means for selectively engaging one portion of the container and selectively movable feet on which the container is readily positioned for highly effective packing action.

A still further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel container handling device having positively operable container engaging components which combine for economical and highly advantageous use during shipment of such container, and which, at the same time, represents simplicity in manufacturing.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following Patented August 16, 1966 description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation showing details of a container handler in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation, looking from left to right in FIG. 1, showing the instant invention in use, where the container being transported and the conventional factory lift truck are shown in phantom; and,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in cross-section, taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing, in more detail, the new and novel feet forming an important feature of the instant invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new novel container handler 10 is shown in combination with a conventional factory lift truck 11 (indicated by phantom lines) where, it should be understood, the front of such truck 11 is movable vertically, as desired, through the use of conventional controls manually operated by a driver on such truck.

The container handler 10 defining the instant invention comprises a plate 14 having upstanding generally parallel sleeve members 15a and 15b conventionally secured thereto, into which rods 16 and 18, respectively, are slideably received. The upper ends of the rods 16 and 18 are secured together by plate members 19 and 20, as by welding, for example, where flanges 20a and 20b, fixedly secured to the plate 20, extend in an outward direction therefrom.

A hook assembly 25 defined by a container engaging plate 25a, which, it will be apparent from FIG. 2, has an inwardly curved lower portion, is supported on a mounting structure including components 25b, 25c, 25d, and 252, typically welded together in fixed relationship. The aforesaid elements 25d and 25:: have aligned openings therein, as do the flanges 20a and 2% on the plate member 20, where a removable bolt and nut assembly 28 is received therethrough. The preceding ararngement permits pivotal movement of the hook assembly 25 and, additionally, its replacement, if and when necessary.

Disposed between the sleeve members 15a and 15b, and typically parallel therewith, is a power cylinder 30, preferably welded in position on the plate 14 which has a movable piston 31 for controlling movement of the hook assembly 25, and, hence, a container 12 being transported, upon application of fluid pressure to cylinder 30 through a conduit 35. The piston 31 typically connects between the plate members 19 and 20 by an eye and bolt arrangement 34, or in any other desired assembly relationship, while the lower end of the power cylinder 30 is typically positioned on a bolt extending from the plate 14.

As discussed hereabove, the applicants new and novel container handler is typically mounted on the front of a conventional factory lift truck 11. In this regard, stiffening members 40a and 40b and 41a and 4117 are secured to a face of the plate 14, where, in turn, mounting plates 44 and 46 are secured thereto, as well as to the sleeve members a and 15b. The preceding assembled relationship is typically accomplished through welding, for example. In turn, and by conventional fastening means (not shown herein), the mounting plates 44 and 46 are secured to a mounting panel 11a disposed on the front of the lift truck 11.

In order to accomplish the new and novel results attained by the instant invention, the applicants provide a movable foot assembly 50 and 60 at opposite bottom ends of the plate 14. More particularly, shafts 51 and 61, having feet 52 and 62, respectively, at one end of each, are mounted on plate 14, where each shaft 51 and 61 respectively extends through a stiffening member 45a and the stiffening members 4111, and a stiffening member 45b and the stiffening members 41b. The shafts 51 and 61 are each typically maintained in their respective operating position by collars 51a and 61a.

The opposite end of each shaft 51 and 61 respectively receives an eccentric 53 and 63 thereon, where each, in turn, respectively connects to a plunger member 55a and 65a forming part of power cylinders 55 and 65. Conventional securing arrangements 56 and 66 respectively position the aforesaid power cylinders 55 and 65 onto the plate 14.

Although full details of the hydraulic or fluid pressure system are not disclosed in the drawing, in that such is conventional in form, a conduit 70 extends from a control panel on the lift truck 11 to a T-member 71, from where conduits 72 and 73 communicate with the piston return end of the power cylinders 55 and 65, while conduit 80, which also extends to the aforesaid control panel on the lift truck 11, extends to a T-member 81, from which conduits 82 and 83 communicate with the piston drive end of the power cylinders 55 and 65. In other words, the operation of the instant invention is effected through a conventional fluid pressure or hydraulic system where the operators controls program the elevating movement of the front of the factory truck 11, the movement of the piston 31, which controls the elevation of the hook assembly 25, through conduit 35, and, the conduits 70 and 80 which, through their respective systems, control the movement of the pistons in the power cylinders 55 and 65.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the feet 52 and 62 are movable from a position generally beneath the plate member 14 to an outwardly extending position. The preceding action is accomplished upon activation of the power cylinders 55 and 65, which, in turn, cause the rotation of the shafts 51 and 61 through the respective eccentrics 53 and 63. More particularly in this regard, when fluid pressure is supplied through conduits 72 and 73, the pistons within the power cylinders 55 and 65 move toward the center of the apparatus, causing the respective feet 52 and 62 to move to a non-extending position. Conversely, when fluid pressure is supplied through conduits 82 and 83, the pistons move oppositely from that described hereabove, i.e. toward the outer edges of the plate 14, whereupon the respective feet 52 and 62 move from aforesaid non-extending position to an extending position.

After the applicants new and novel container handler 10 has been secured to the truck 11 for use, the operator raises the mounting panel 11a of the latter, and in normal first lever or first layer container loading for transporting, for example, the hook assembly 25 is caused to engage the container under movement. In regard to the latter, the hydraulic system including conduit 35 and power cylinder 30 is activated, thereby raising the movable piston 31 so that the plate 25a comes under, for example, the flap defining the top of the container, or, as a matter of fact, any other container portion capable of being grasped through hooking action.

Thereafter, with movement of the truck 11, the container 12 can be placed in any desired position or order in an area being loaded. In releasing the container 12, the converse of the preceding is accomplished, i.e. the hook assembly 25 is released from the container 12, with the control thereof being effected by the driver of the truck at the fluid pressure or hydraulic control panel.

On the other hand, and most importantly, when it is desired to move a container to a second or higher level in loading, and particularly to position same horizontally or on its back, for example, the preceding action occurs, i.e. the container 12 is hooked; however, in this instance, the hydraulic system to the power cylinders and is activated, through conduits 30, 81 and 82, causing the plunger members 55a and 65a to move, and the respective shafts 51 and 61 to rotate. At this time, the feet 52 and 62 move from their non-extending position to an extending position (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

With the feet 52 and 62 extended, the container 12 is lowered thereon (see FIG. 2), where the operator then raises the mounting panel 11a of the truck 11 to the appropriate height to define a fulcrum area on the resting surface of the container. The hook assembly 26 is then released through hydraulic action of conduit 35 and the power cylinder 30, where, at this point, the weight of the container 12 rests on the feet 52 and 62. The front member 11a then continues any necessary upward movement, until the container 12 tips into position and is straightened, as required. Of course, variation in precise operational steps may be made, as, for example, the container may be unhooked after the feet 52 and 62 are in extending supporting position, but before the container 12 is raised to a fulcrum or tipping area, assuming that same is leaning against a first level container.

After the container 12 is in loaded position, the hydraulic system through conduits 70, 71 and 72 is activated, causing the plunger members 55a and 65a of the power cylinders 55 and 65 to move in an opposite direction, whereupon the shafts 51 and 61 rotate, resulting in the movement of the feet 52 and 62 from the extending position to their non-extending position.

From the preceding it should be apparent that the applicants herein have provided a new and novel container handler which effectively permits the horizontal loading of merchandise in multiple levels, representing a considerable savings in loading time for a transporting vehicle, for example, as well as good overall loading flow. The instant container handler is, of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, the precise components described herein may be modified in design, and changes in proportioning and configuration may be accomplished, with equally effective end results. Thus, the above description should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A container handler comprising, in combination, a framework mounted on an elevationable portion of a vehicle, said framework having a slidable upper portion, a hooking member pivotally mounted on a vertical axis on said slidable upper portion, power means elevating said slidable upper portion and said hooking member into an engaging relationship between said hooking member and a container, container supporting feet pivotally mounted on a vertical axis on said framework and movable in and out of the plane of said framework, and power means swinging said container supporting feet to underlie said container.

2. The container handler of claim 1 where said hooking member is pivotal laterally of said container to permit alignment therewith.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Cou-pland 214-620 X Gardner 214653 Bartel 214-653 Elsner 214731 Cirillo 214653 Mueller 214-620 X GERALD M. FORLENZA, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS TEMIN, HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiners. 

1. A CONTAINER HANDLE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FRAMEWORK MOUNTED ON AN ELEVATIONABLE PORTION OF A VEHICLE, SAID FRAMEWORK HAVING A SLIDABLE UPPER PORTION, A HOOKING MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A VERTICAL AXIS ON SAID SLIDABLE UPPER PORTION, POWER MEANS ELEVATING SAID SLIDABLE UPPER PORTION AND SAID HOOKING MEMBER INTO AN ENGAGING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SAID HOOKING MEMBER AND A CONTAINER, CONTAINER SUPPORTING FEET PIVOTALLY 